Will it come to anyone’s surprise that of the 72 Democratic lawmakers that sent a letter to the FCC and Justice department supporting the AT&T/T-Mobile merger that 66 of those lawmakers received campaign contributions from AT&T. Totaling over $500,000 in contributions most of the donations came from political action committees associated with AT&T, who remains the single-largest corporate donor to Congressional members over the last two decades. Want to know how widespread AT&T’s influence is? During the last campaign election cycle AT&T gave money to 391 of the 435 House members and 78 of the 100 Senate members.

About David Beren

David is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TmoNews.com. He considers himself a Jedi Knight, capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound and a connoisseur of fine cell phones. He has been involved in the wireless industry since 2003 and has been known to swap out phones far too many times in any given year. Should you wish to contact him, you can do so: david@tmonews.com.

If you are tethering on Tmobile then you are really going to enjoy getting screwed on AT&T and it’s limited data plans.

ELDESORDENAOPR69

AT & T is the company most bad you have a customer service disaster, the Internet is limited and plans are very expensive not because the GOVERNMENT is not involved in this have to let small businesses do their business not every time a giant still has not completely finished with a company that acquired when it wants another aprte case and do not have good customer service that is a herror

The Truth

What the hell are you talking about?

Asdf

Are you using Google Translator to post in English? Stop it!

Nglive2

Que?

Anonymous

No hablo ingles?

ELDESORDENAOPR69

AT & T is the company most bad you have a customer service disaster, the Internet is limited and plans are very expensive not because the GOVERNMENT is not involved in this have to let small businesses do their business not every time a giant still has not completely finished with a company that acquired when it wants another aprte case and do not have good customer service that is a herror

NardVa

This is why our government sucks. When it is all said and done people/companies with big pockets is what runs America and influence rules/laws in this country. Just follow the money trail.

Anonymous

These are dollars that we know about, the sad and dirty part of this entire deal is the underhanded dealings that went on behind closed doors. If anyone doesn’t think this happened in this case they are fools. This entire deal has really turned my stomach. I am still with T-Mobile and even bought the Sensation, I think I will leave and jump on a Verizon all data plan before it is too late. I have supported T-Mobile as much as any customer can, I have noticed a serious change in their customer assistance dept, very much AT&T like. They are treating this as if the deal has already been closed. Damn this really pisses me off. I don’t get emotional about many things but this deal has somehow really effected me. You find a company that treats you right and gives you a great product, it just sucks to see this go away just when they have come so far. Very fast data and great plans, what else can you want from a cell carrier??

v8dreaming

Did I say anything about a political party in my statement?

http://twitter.com/phonecount StalkyTheFish

The best democracy money can buy!

TMoFan

Sad but expected. Now that the issues behind this sellout are coming to light at&t has to spread the wealth around from congress to the Filipino American Arts Exposition. This is the only way for at&t to get their support. I can imagine the talks going on behind the scenes to get this deal through.

I’m sure there are some in Congress that are happy to see a German subsidiary absorbed into an American company because of some sort of patriotic bs. Never mind that the subsidiary provides service and rates that are lightyears ahead of the American corp.

TMoFan

Sad but expected. Now that the issues behind this sellout are coming to light at&t has to spread the wealth around from congress to the Filipino American Arts Exposition. This is the only way for at&t to get their support. I can imagine the talks going on behind the scenes to get this deal through.

I’m sure there are some in Congress that are happy to see a German subsidiary absorbed into an American company because of some sort of patriotic bs. Never mind that the subsidiary provides service and rates that are lightyears ahead of the American corp.

Anonymous

As long as lobbying is allowed in this country the rich will forever rule. We have the best government money can buy.

Forevertmoble

If the mereger does go through wouldnt our contract automaticly be canceled and were free to join a different network?

Petey

no it will not, you’ll just be under AT&T since they bought your contract and you either have these choices.
1. migrate to AT&T plan
2. pay ETF to leave.
3. wait until your contract is done.

Anonymous

Also, everything from your plan would stay intact.

So if you pay $79.99 for Unlimited Everything (As I do, for example), you would continue until your contract is over, then you could either renew with an AT&T one, or as I assume most people would do, leave.

Mopar6464

No you won’t have to migrate to a AT&T plan.
The only way you have to migrate to a AT&T plan is if You choose to modify or alter your original T-Mobile plan they assumed.
If AT&T tries to alter your original plan , ask to be released or arbitrate it .
Read your agreement.

Mopar6464

No you won’t have to migrate to a AT&T plan.
The only way you have to migrate to a AT&T plan is if You choose to modify or alter your original T-Mobile plan they assumed.
If AT&T tries to alter your original plan , ask to be released or arbitrate it .
Read your agreement.

Petey

I did put the term “choice” right?

Therefore these are the options thats available cus you’re still under contract with T-Mobile. You do not have a free way out.

Mopar6464

No you did not .
You are not migrated into AT&T plans , your original T-Mobile plan is bought under legal terms in which AT&T bought from T-Mobile originally.
AT&T is assuming your T-Mobile plan they bought and the original terms that came with it.

Mopar6464

No you did not .
You are not migrated into AT&T plans , your original T-Mobile plan is bought under legal terms in which AT&T bought from T-Mobile originally.
AT&T is assuming your T-Mobile plan they bought and the original terms that came with it.

Mopar6464

Petey you did say the word “Choice” but choice 1 is not correct.

Mopar6464

Petey you did say the word “Choice” but choice 1 is not correct.

Mopar6464

No you did not .
You are not migrated into AT&T plans , your original T-Mobile plan is bought under legal terms in which AT&T bought from T-Mobile originally.
AT&T is assuming your T-Mobile plan they bought and the original terms that came with it.

Forevertmoble

If the mereger does go through wouldnt our contract automaticly be canceled and were free to join a different network?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_J4TSP6H2J5OXBZUJQTBZHXE2XY Randall

I don’t know why you felt the need to call out democrats. AT&T is well known for giving millions to both parties usually a little more generously to republicans. AT&T usually gets there way in any statehouse across the land because they have bought their way into both parties.

JR

I would think that they only had the information on the Democrats at the time they wrote this. But yes, Republicans also have the same donations as well.

On another note, regardless of party, I find it despicable that the Democrats would send a letter like that KNOWING that they received contributions from AT&T. Politicians really are stupid and they never learn.
The FCC should burn that letter in front of all that signed that letter.

Blake

This is nothing new. Companies CONSTANTLY support parties who are in favor of possibly making them more money. Do you read the news? Wow.

Blake

This is nothing new. Companies CONSTANTLY support parties who are in favor of possibly making them more money. Do you read the news? Wow.

http://coursework-writing.co.uk/ coursework help

Its truly thats thay will have more money from this in future So thts why they support them!

Brian98

The Republicans get just as many ‘donations’ from AT&T. So the entire government is ‘bought.’

flancy

But despite the fact that they’ve received donations, you don’t see the Republicans largely supporting this move and abandoning their values of the importance of consumer choice and free market capitalism. The more America looks like a failed European country, the happier the Dems are.

Anonymous

This is old news

Honest Abe

As far I am concerned, this whole country is effed honestly since James Regan from Merrill Lynch took over merging our corporations with the government back in 1981 with the evil Reagan.

The new world order (not Skull and Bones) has been here sadly enough. America sadly enough is the illusion of choice.

I guess that Sprint will have my business soon once T-Mobile prepaid (awesome) unlimited is gone.

Neoprimal

Unfortunately, I don’t think Sprint will last as big number 3 for the long run. It is all fine and dandy to have
Ver, ATT, Spr and TMo but when ATT and TMo become 1, that’s number 2 and number 4 becoming 1 – Sprint will be in a far number 3. Not only that, but I’ve read that Verizon is on track to becoming number 2 in the next 5 years (as of 2010) and that was BEFORE a merger was announced. I predict they’ll either be gobbled up by Verizon, who wants to stay #1 but may not be able to with an ATT+TMo merger in place….or they themselves will be at some point purchased by ATT which is slowly but surely becoming a GSM monopoly in the US but who will gladly, as Sprint did in terms of Nextel – welcome another cell technology (and all those towers) into their fold if presented an opportunity, and that opportunity will be Sprint not being able to stand up against 1 huge CDMA carrier and 1 huge GSM carrier. So, it’s a vicious cycle that will start and end with 2 major US carriers holding technology monopolies; Verizon will be the CDMA monopoly (can’t really count cricket, metropcs, etc because they aren’t available in every state/area) and ATT will be the GSM monopoly.

On topic about the contributions. It should be illegal. Because to me, that’s a direct bribe.

Neoprimal

Unfortunately, I don’t think Sprint will last as big number 3 for the long run. It is all fine and dandy to have
Ver, ATT, Spr and TMo but when ATT and TMo become 1, that’s number 2 and number 4 becoming 1 – Sprint will be in a far number 3. Not only that, but I’ve read that Verizon is on track to becoming number 2 in the next 5 years (as of 2010) and that was BEFORE a merger was announced. I predict they’ll either be gobbled up by Verizon, who wants to stay #1 but may not be able to with an ATT+TMo merger in place….or they themselves will be at some point purchased by ATT which is slowly but surely becoming a GSM monopoly in the US but who will gladly, as Sprint did in terms of Nextel – welcome another cell technology (and all those towers) into their fold if presented an opportunity, and that opportunity will be Sprint not being able to stand up against 1 huge CDMA carrier and 1 huge GSM carrier. So, it’s a vicious cycle that will start and end with 2 major US carriers holding technology monopolies; Verizon will be the CDMA monopoly (can’t really count cricket, metropcs, etc because they aren’t available in every state/area) and ATT will be the GSM monopoly.

On topic about the contributions. It should be illegal. Because to me, that’s a direct bribe.

Coolhikers

Who cares the big bosses get all the cash, leave employee with crap and their customers. I hope the deal dosn’t go thru. att NEEDS tmobile’s FAST 3+G NETWORK(4G).
TO help out their lack of service.
I just signed up for 2 + 2 years with tmo on my 24.99 UNlimted data and 400 text.
All the rest can go fish

Anonymous

Please post the names of the politicians who supported this. We’d be very grateful!

joggy

Seems logical that democrats would be inline with a socialistic, pro-union, anti-free market, duopolistic kind of move like the ATT/TMO merger. Not surprised by this at all.

xcben

dan boren, lol he’s from oklahoma, sadly, he’s not exactly “liberal” or a “democrat”. “liberal democrats” in oklahoma are basically light conservative republicans. so his name on the list doesn’t surprise me, don’t get me started on my state senator.

Tony

No wonder this deal might go thru……………..

http://twitter.com/atlmann10 atlmann10

Every representative in Georgia including my Governor Nathan Deal was paid by At&t for this merger, every single one!

http://twitter.com/atlmann10 atlmann10

That is Republicans and Democrats every active political player period. I thought this country was a free market economy not a highest commercially donated sponsor economy.

Seifecheber77

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AT&T gave far more money in contributions to Republicans. They are biased toward Republicans.

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